SUMMARYOF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS 1. NAME OF THE VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT Excis 10 mg/ml concentrate for solution for fish treatment 2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION Active substance: Cypermethrin (cis:trans / 40:60) 10 mg/ml Excipients: For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1. Revised: August 2012 3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM Concentrate for solution for fish treatment. A clear, yellow-tinted non-aqueous solution with an alcoholic odour. 4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS 4.1 Target species Farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). 4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species The product is indicated for the treatment and control of sea lice in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The product will treat and control all stages of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (copepodid, chalimus I - IV, pre-adult and adult) and Caligus elongatus. Treatment of sea lice at the chalimus IV stage (i.e. before they mature into gravid females) should help to reduce the number of infective stages released near the fish cages, and is recommended. 4.3 Contraindications See section 4.7. 4.4 Special warnings Intensive use or misuse of Excis can give rise to resistance. To reduce this risk treatment methods and programmes should be discussed with your veterinary Page 1 of 6
advisor. Efficacy of this product against sea lice is reduced if cypermethrin resistant strains are present. 4.5 Special precautions for use i) Special precautions for use Do not exceed the recommended dosage. ii) Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals Wear protective clothing, i.e. cotton overalls, and nitrile rubber or neoprene gloves, (0.3 mm thick) and a disposable face mask when handling the product and tarpaulins or nets of treated cages. Wear protective clothing, gloves, eye protection, and a disposable facemask when mixing and administering the product. Do not smoke, drink or eat while handling the product. Avoid contact with the skin, eyes, nose and mouth. If clothing becomes contaminated, remove without delay and wash skin thoroughly with soap and water. Change out of protective clothing and wash hands thoroughly after using the product. Launder protective clothing before re-use. The product is of low hazard by oral and dermal routes. Inhalation of the product may cause irritation to the mucous membranes and respiratory tract. Skin exposure may cause transient sensations (tingling, numbness) which disappear after a few hours. Obtain medical advice if symptoms persist. iii) Other precautions Environmental Warnings: A discharge consent must be obtained from the relevant water authority before use. In its concentrated form, the product may present a danger to other aquatic life. Prevent any unnecessary release of the product into the marine environment. Do not contaminate natural water with the product, the container, or the rinsings, and do not re-use the container for any purpose. 4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness) Mild transient head shaking/flashing/increased jumping has been reported in a few fish (less than 10%) in less than 5% of field trials. The cause is unknown. There have been no permanent effects, no mortalities and all fish are normal within hours of treatment. Page 2 of 6
4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay There have been no safety studies carried out on broodstock and the product cannot, therefore, be recommended for use in breeding salmon. 4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction None known. 4.9 Amounts to be administered and administration route The product is to be administered by addition to seawater: immediately prior to administration mix the correct volume of product with approximately 40 litres of seawater before adding to the seacage at several locations to ensure maximum dispersion. Intensive use or misuse of Excis can give rise to resistance. To reduce this risk treatment methods and programmes should be discussed with your veterinary advisor. Efficacy of this product against sea lice is reduced if cypermethrin resistant strains are present. Preparation of the seacage to be treated: The seacage net should be raised to a depth of 2-2.5 metres, and then surrounded by impervious tarpaulins to isolate the cage to be treated. The depth of enclosed water should then be 3 metres. The amount of product to achieve the treatment dose can be calculated using the following table: Cage size in metres Enclosed depth of water in metres Amount of Excis in ml 12 x 12 3 216 15 x 15 3 338 16 x 16 3 384 An oxygen diffuser should be used during treatment to maintain an oxygen level greater than 7 mg/l during the treatment. Treatment Period: 1 hour maximum. Treatment Dose: 0.5 ml Excis/m 3 seawater. This is equivalent to 5.0 µg cypermethrin/litre seawater. Treatment may be repeated when signs of re-infestation occur. A strategic approach to sea lice control with Excis may increase the interval between treatments and is recommended. Treatment of sea lice before they reach the reproductive stage (e.g. at chalimus IV) should help to reduce the number of freeswimming infective stages released near the fish cages. This should slow down the rate of re-infestation. Page 3 of 6
4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary Signs of toxicity appear to be head shaking/flashing/increased jumping in a few fish. Following treatment, these signs rapidly disappear. 4.11 Withdrawal period(s) Meat: 10 degree-days 5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES Pharmacotherapeutic group: ectoparasiticides for topical use, incl. Insecticides ATC Vet Code: QP53AC08 5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties Cypermethrin is a neuropoison acting on the axons in the peripheral and central nervous system by interacting with sodium channels in crustaceans. 5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties Synthetic pyrethroids are generally metabolised in mammals through ester hydrolysis, oxidation and conjugation and there is no tendency to accumulate in tissues. 6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS 6.1 List of excipients Polysorbate 20 Ethanol (Absolute) 6.2 Incompatibilities None known. 6.3 Shelf life Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 6 months from the date of manufacture. Page 4 of 6
6.4. Special precautions for storage Do not store above 25 C and protect from light Store in the original container. Discard unused product. HIGHLY FLAMMABLE 6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging High density polyethylene bottles (250 ml capacity) with white screwcap lids which have a polyethylene liner. The bottles contain 200 ml product and are designed to float should these be dropped accidentally. 6.6 Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from the use of such products This formulated product is designed for the treatment of fish. However, at levels far greater than the treatment dose, the product could be harmful to fish and aquatic life. Do not contaminate surface waters or ditches with product or used containers. Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with national requirements. 7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER Novartis Animal Vaccines Limited 4 Warner Drive Springwood Industrial Estate Braintree Essex, CM7 2YW United Kingdom 8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBERS UK: Vm 18343/4010 Ireland: VPA 10974/022/001 9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION 07 May 1999 Page 5 of 6
10 DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT August 2012 PROHIBITION OF SALE, SUPPLY AND/OR USE UK: To be sold or supplied through veterinary surgeons only. Legal category POM-V Ireland: POM(E) As an item for sale or supply only from a pharmacy by a pharmacist, or by a registered veterinary surgeon for the treatment of animals under his/her care. Legal category POM(E) Page 6 of 6